Gravity actuated boat pump



3, 119553 c. a. WEIR GRAVITY ACTUATED BOAT PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1946 A770 AW J ZAES USQ Jan. 3, 195@ c. L WEIR GRAVITY ACTUATED BOAT PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1946 ATTU/P/VEV5 Patented Jan. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAVITY ACTUATED BOAT PUMP I Chester I. Weir, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application October 24, 1946, Serial No. 705,405

Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic boat pump whereby water is removed from the bilge hull or hold of a boat for keeping the same dry by power derived from the rocking, pitching or similar movement of the boat while floating or lying in a body of water.

It is the object of this invention to provide a pump of this character which is very simple and durable in construction, and low in cost of production, efiicient in operation under all conditions, not liable to get out of order or require frequent repairs for maintaining the same in condition, very light and also capable of being readily installed and transported.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section of an automatic boat pump embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 2--2, Fig. l.

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections, on a re duced scale, taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 1.

In the following description, like numerals indicate similar parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Although the main frame of this pumping apparatus may be variously constructed the same, as shown in the drawings, preferably comprises a lower horizontal plate In, an upper horizontal plate -H spaced from said lower plate, a plurality of upright tubular spacers or posts l2 interposed at intervals between the marginal parts of said plates, and upright tie bolts I 3 each passing through one of said spacers and the adjacent parts of said plates and connecting the same so that they form a rigid unit. This frame is preferably supported on the bottom or other suitable part of the boat by means of rubber feet or soft pads l4, adapted to rest on a support and each of which is seated in a downwardly opening metal cup [5, the bottom of which is engaged by the head of one of the tie bolts and clamped against the underside of the lower frame plate, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the space between the upper and lower frame plates are arranged the pumping means which withdraw the water from the bilge of the boat and discharge the same overboard. These means include a plurality of pump units, preferably three in number, which are arranged substantially radially with reference to the vertical central axis of the frame and equidistant in an annular row around this axis. Each of these pump units includes a horizontal cylinder or barrel it which is closed at its outer and inner bined with the valve means whereby water is admitted to the outer end of the cylinder during the inward movement of the piston in the cylinder and water isdischarged fromrthe outer end of the cylinder upon moving the piston outwardly in the cylinder. This is accomplished in the present construction by providing the lower and upper sides of the outer head of the cylinder with lower and upper tubular trunnions 2|, 22, the axes of which are in vertical alinement and turn respectively in lower and upper bearings 23, 24 arranged on the adjacent parts of the main frame. The lower bearing 23 is preferably formed in a top plate 25 which has an annular depending flange 26 secured to the upper side of the lower main frame plate l0, thereby forming with the latter a water inlet chamber 21 which communicates with the outer end of the pump cylinder through the medium of the lower tubular trunnion 2| which forms a water inlet for this purpose. Water is conducted to this inlet chamber, preferably, by means of a flexible tube or hose 28 the lower inlet end of which is placed in the bilge or other part of the boat from which water is to be removed and the upper end of this hose being connected with the wall of the inlet chamber 21 so as to deliver thereto the water which is removed from the bilge or elsewhere.

Water is only permitted to pass from the inlet chamber '21 through the lower inlet trunnion into the outer end of the pump cylinder but prevented from flowing in the reverse direction by a check valve having preferably the form of a ball 29 arranged in the tubular inlet trunnion 2i and movable into and out of engagement with an inwardly facing valve seat 30 in this trunnion, as shown in Fig. 1.

The upper bearing 24 is preferably formed in a bottom plate 31 which has an annular upstanding flange 32 secured to the underside of the upper main frame plate ll, thereby forming with the latter a water outlet chamber 33 which communicates with the outer end of the pump cylinder through the medium of the upper tubular trunnion 22- which forms a water outlet for this purpose. Water is conducted from this outlet chamber preferably, by a flexible tube or hose 34 the inner end of which connects with a wall of the outlet chamber 33 while the outer end of this hose extends over the gunwale of the boat or elsewhere for delivering the water overboard or any other desired place.

Water is permitted to pass out of the outlet chamber through the upper outlet trunnion and discharge -.hose, but isprevented from' flowing in the oppositedirectionby a check valve consisting preferably of a ball valve 55 arranged in the outlet trunnion 22 and movable toward and from an outwardly facing valve seat 35 arranged in this trunnion, as shown in Fig. 1.

The several inlet chambers 2'5- of the pumping apparatus are connected with each other by communication pipes or tubes 31 so that one water suction or inlet hose 28 will serve all of these chambers and in like manner the several water outlet chambers are connected with each other by communicating pipes or tubes so that a single water delivery hose 34 can be used to discharge the water overboard from these outlet chambers.

Actuating means are provided which embody the present invention whereby rocking or pitching o'f fthe boat in'which this pumping apparatus' is installed will cause the pistons in the several cylinders to reciprocate so as to withdraw water fronrthe bilge of the boat and discharge the same overboard, these actuating means being also capable of use in connection with a single pumping unit if desired. in their preferred form, these actuating means are constructed as follows:

The numeral 39 represents an upright driving shaft which has its central part arranged within a vertical tubular standard 40 while its lower part extends through an opening in the upper frame plate H and into the space below the same and its upper part extends above this standard. The latter is rigidly supported on the main frame by a base 4| secured to the top of the upper frame plate and having a central opening into which the lower end of the tubular standard is fastened by screwing, as shown in Fig. 1, or in any other suitable manner.

Below the upper frame plate a main crank disk 42 is secured to the lower part of the driving shaft and this disk is provided adjacent to its periphery with a main crank or crank pin 43 which projects downwardly from this disk. Below the main crank disk is arranged an auxiliary crank disk 44 having an annular groove 45 on its periphery. This auxiliary crank disk is pivoted 0n the main crank disk by passin the main crank 43 through the same, whereby this auxiliary crank disk is capable of rocking on the main crank disk'and also turning bodily with the same.

Adjacent to its periphery the auxiliary crank disk is connected at equidistant points around its axis with the inner ends of the several piston rods so that the pistons are actuated simultaneousLY.

In order to retain the auxiliary crank disk 44 in a definite relation to all of the several piston rods 20, pistons 19 and cylinders l6 and insure uniform action of these pistons in their respective cylinders, one of the piston rods 20 is rigidly connected at its inner end .by a screwioint E8 or otherwise with the auxiliary crankl diskand each of the otherpiston rods has its inner endpivotally with the auxiliary '4 crank disk by an auxiliary crank pin 46 passing through an eye 41 on the inner end of the respective piston rod, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

As the driving shaft is rotated or rocked the main crank pin 43 will be correspondingly rotated or rocked and carry the auxiliary crank disk bodily with it to the same extent. As the auxiliary crank disk moves bodily in a concentric path around the axis of the main crank disk. and driving shaft, the muzdliarycrank pins exert a pushing and pulJingefEecton the piston rods so that the pistons are reciprocated in the cylinders and cause water to be drawn into the same and expelled therefrom. The length of strokes of these pistons and piston rods is dependent on the extent of bodily movement of the auxiliary crank disk around the axis of the main crank disk. During the bodily movement of the auxiliary crank disk relative to the axis of the main crank disk, the auxiliary crank disk rocks more or less on the auxiliary crank pin and the several pump cylinders also rock more or less relative "to the inlet and outlet chambers as these members change their position, relative to one another during the operation of the pump ing apparatus.

The driving shaft mayf-be vjournaleci on the standard so as to turn .aboutja vertical axis in any suitable manner but is..prferably-ac'- complished by meansJo'f side thrust Tball bearings 48, 49 interposed between the upper and lower parts of the driving shaftland the. stand I ard.

thereon are also supported against. down thrust by a ball bearingiuinterposed between the upper end of the standard and-acollar '5l secured to the driving shaft aibove thestandard.

The numeral 52 represents a gravity responsive weight or pendulum whichisconnected with the driving shaft and arranged on one side of its axis so that when the boat and the pumpin apparatus mounted therein are tilted due to rocking, pitching or similar movements on the water this weight or pendulum will always tend to move by gravity from a high position on one side of the shaft to a lower position on the opposite side of the same. This weight may be of any suitable shape and is preferably connected with the shaft by a horizontal radial arm or rod 53 which has its inner end screwed'into an opening in the collar 5| and its outer end screwed into the upper part of the pendulum weight.

Rotation of the arm after the parts are assembled is prevented by a clamping screw nut 54 threaded on this radial arm and'engaging the inner side of the pendulum weight, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

As the boat changes its position from a level or horizontal to an inclined position and the driving shaft is tilted relative to the horizon, the pendulum weight moves downwardly in adjusting itself to this change. When the wave action on the boat is regular and the boat is rocked or pitched in rhythm the pendulum may be turned a complete revolution around the axis of the shaft, in which case the pumppistons will be moved successively inwardly and out-- wardly in the respective cylinders with complete or full strokes and therebyoperate the pumping apparatus at maximum capacity. When, howaction. on the same isirregular. then the boat may be rocked and pitched irregularly in whichcase the pendulum may oscfiiaw through shaft fparts supported asegomr;

partof a complete turnthus shortening-thestrokes of the pistons in the cylinders and reduce ing the capacity of the pumping. apparatus accordingly.

In order to render the movement of ,the pendulum sensitive and enable the same to shift quickly and easily from one positon to another around its .axis of rotation, friction relieving-' guide means are provided which are preferably constructed as follows: The numeral 55 represents a stationary guid- 1 ingor supporting member having the. formofa-plate or disk which rests on the base 4| and 7 held against turning by screwing the lower part of'the standard into an opening formed .cen-wls trally in this disk. The periphery of this guid; ing disk is concentric with the axis of the shaft 39 and forms an annular track 56 which is-en rgaged by retaining means mounted on thelower part of the pendulum weight. In'their preferred 2c form these'retaining means comprise two side thrust wheels or rollers 51 which are arranged: side by side circumferentially of the supporting diskand engage the track on the periphery :of:

upper end of an upright pivot bolt or shank -scr'.

59 the lower end of which is'connecte'd with a supporting block 60. The latter is supported on the lower part of the pendulum weight by'means of a horizontal arm or rod 6! of which opposit'e pendulum weight and which is held against turn-'- ing;:r.e1ative thereto by a clamping screw nut; 62 engaging with the threaded outer'pa'rtof' this supporting arm and bearing against the inner" side of this weight. As this pendulum weight swings around the 'f vertical axis of this apparatus or oscillates rela-" tive thereto'to a greater or lesser extent the lower part of the same is guided by means of this friction relieving device running on the track' 56, thus causing the apparatus to perform its function even when the boat is only agitated moderately during calm weather, thereby automatically keeping the hold of the boat dry and in com-; fortable condition at all times and permitting the same to be used immediately whenever desired.

By employing two side thrust anti-friction wheels or rollers 51 side by side, the pendulum weight is reliably held against twisting during its rotary movement and thus prevents binding 55 or cramping on the track 56 which otherwise would interfere with the free movement of the pendulum. For the purpose of protecting the pumping apparatus a cover 63 is provided which extends over the top of the same and which comprises an upper horizontal head 64 arranged above the driving shaft, pendulum and associated parts,

an annular side wall 65 extending downwardly from the periphery of this head andsurroundine 65 the parts above the upper frame plate H, and an attaching flange 66 extending outwardly from the lower edge of this wall and secured to the top of the upper frame plate by means of the same bolts I 3 which connect this plate with the lower frame 76 plate H),- as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

At the center of the head of the cover the same is provided with an oil hole 61 which is located above the upper end of the driving shaft and through which oil may be introduced for lubricat this disk on opposite sides of aradial-line ex--- 2.i:

ends are screwed into said supporting collar and -1 fififik 9%.?

ingi-the-shaftand1itsbearings and any other;

- evacuate, any ;water;in :the 'hull or bilge.

@Ifclaim asmyrinventionr- -:1-.- An automatic boat pumping apparatus comprisingamain frame, an upright shaft rotatably-mountedon-said frame, a water pumping de- -::vi$$. operatively; connected .with' said shaftv and adapted to be actuated; thereb y and means for tanning said shaft including a pendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and. adapted tutu-13m .by-gravity ;-with theshaft as .the latter n e ara e iai iqemeen I o t nin d ei e fi r e v 0 Saki-shaft while a n -ther nclud ns ias a ionam ui P e ia l i en eme t.

cperatively connected with said shaft and adapted rse m isdtlierebyea me s. for turning :said shaft including a pendulum weight arranged i ner ida 10 tsai rsha t nd: d p to u by gravity with the shaft as the latter is tilted relative tc-the horizon, an arm; connecting said upper part of -this ,weight with I said shaft, and separate 7 guide. means for 5 positioning said weight relative to said shaft awhile rotatin therewith including a stationary guide plate having a radially outward facing circular track on its periphery whichis concentric with the axis of said shaft, and retaining means mounted on the lower part of said weight and movable circumferentialiy in engagement with said track, said retaining means including a roller engaging its periphery with said track, ;,and a supporting arm having its outer endconnected with the lower part of said weight pivotally supporting said roller at its inner 3. Anautomatic boat pumping apparatus comprising a main frame, an upright shaft rotatably mountedon said frame, a water pumping device operatively connected with said shaft and adapted to be actuated lthereby, and means for turning said shaft including. apendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and adapted to turn by gravity with the shaft as the latter is tilted relativ e'to the horizon, an arm connecting the upper part of this weight withisaid shaft, and separate guide means for positioning said weight relative to said shaft while rotating therewith including a stationary guide plate having a radially outward facing circular track on its periphery which is concentric with the axis of said shaft, and retailling..means mounted v on the lower, part of said weight and movable circumferentially in engagement with said track, said retaining means tiltedrelative to the ,horizon,;an arm vconnecting the-uppenpart of-this weight with said shaft,

drallyoutward facing ;circu1ar.. track on its. ehsr s h eh eeee a i r i i vshaftre ders iii mea smunic Qnt e I te a sa awe sb and .mev b s r um-a v iths id,;track.,,,,- um in ap u w w prising .a main frame, an uprightshaft rotatably m un es d-.- r. me. a ma es-P device 7 including two rollers arranged circumferentially side by side relative to said track and engaging therewith, and supporting means upon which said rollers are pivotally mounted and which are connected with the lower part of said weight.

4. An automatic boat pumping apparatus comprising a main frame, an upright shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a pendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and connected with the same so as to tlirltf with the shaft-as the same is tilted relative to the horizon, and a pumping device comprising a plurality of ump cylinders arranged in a circumferential row around the axis of the shaft and each pivoted at its outer part so that its inner part turns horizontally, a piston reciprocable in each cylinder and provided with a piston rod, a main crank disk mounted on said shaft and provided with a main crank, and an auxiliary crank disk pivoted on said main crank and provided with a; plurality of auxiliary cranks which are pivotally connected, respectively, with the piston rods of the several pistons.

5. An automatic boat pumping apparatus oompri'sing a main frame, an upright shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a pendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and connected with the same so as to turn with the shaft asthe same is tilted relative to the horizon and pumping means operated by said shaft including a ump cylinder provided on the upper and lower sides of its outer part with hollow trunnions one of which forms a water inlet and the other a water outlet, water inlet and outlet chambers having hearings in which said trunnions turn, inlet and outlet check valves arranged, respectively in said inlet and outlet trunnions, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and provided with a piston rod, and means for operatlvely connecting said rod with said shaft.

6. An automatic boat pumping apparatus com prising main frame, an upright shaft rotatably' mounted on said frame, a pendulum weight ar ranged on one side of said shaft and connected with the same so as to turn with the shaft as the same is tilted relative to the horizon, and umpmg means operated by said shaft including a pump cylinder provided on the upper and lower sides of its outer part with hollow trunnions one of which forms a water inlet and the other a' water outlet, water inlet and outlet chambers having bearings in which said trunnions turn, inlet and outlet check valves arranged, respectively in said inlet and outlet trunnions, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and provided with a piston rod, and means for operatively connecting said rod with said shaft, said frame including upper and lower frame plates on which said chambers are respectively mounted.

7. An automatic boat pumping apparatus comprising a main frame, an upright shaft rotata'bly mounted on said frame, a pendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and connected with the same so as to turn with the shaft as the same is tilted relative to the horizon, and pumping means operated by said shaft including a pump cylinder provided on the upper and lower sides of its outer part with hollow trunnions one of which forms a water inlet and the other a water outlet, water inlet and outlet chambers having bearings in which said trunnions turn, inlet and outlet check valves arranged, respectively, in said inlet and outlet trunnlons, a piston re- 8 clprocahle in said cylinder and provided with a piston rod, and means for operative'ly connecting said rod with said shaft, said frame including upper and lower frame plates on which said chambers are respectively mounted, and posts interposedbetween said frame plates.

8. An automatic boat pumping apparatus comprising a main frame, an upright shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a pendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and connected with the same so as to turn with the shaft as the same is tilted relative to the horizon, and umping means operated by said shaft including a pump cylinder provided on the upper and lower sides of its outer part with hollow trunnions one of which forms a water inlet and the other a water outlet, water inlet and outlet chambers having hearings in which said trunnlons turn,

inlet and outlet check valves arranged, respec tively in said inlet and outlet trunnions, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and provided with a piston rod, means for operatively connecting said rod with said shaft, and flexible inlet and outlet tubes connected. with said inlet and outlet chambers, respectively.

9. An automatic boat pumping apparatus comprising a main frame, an upright shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a pendulum weight arranged on one side of said shaft and connected with the same so as to turn with the shaft as the same is tilted relative to the horizon, and pumping means operated by said shaft including a pump cylinder provided on the upper and lower sides of its outer part with hollow trunnlons one of which forms a water inlet and the other a water outlet, water inlet and outlet chambers having bearings in which said trunnions turn, in=- let and outlet check valves arranged, respectively in said inlet and outlet trunnions, a piston reclprocable in said cylinder and provided with a piston rod, and means for operatively connecting said rod with saidshaft, said frame including up per and lower frame plates on which said 0118.111 here are respectively mounted, and soft pads secured and adapted to rest on a support.

10.= An automatic boat pumping apparatus comprising a driving shaft, a pendulum weight connected with said shaft, an auxiliary crank disk pivotal-1y connected by a main crank with said shaft on one side of the axis of said shaft, a plurality of pump cylinders arranged around the axis of said shaft and each pivoted at its outer end to a support, and a piston reciprocable lengthwise in each of said cylinders and having an inwardly extending piston rod, one of said piston rods being rigidly connected with said auxiliary crank disk and the other piston rod being pivotally connected with said auxiliary crank disk.

CHESTER I.. WEIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Brynild Jan. 26, 1937 

